Early Timing of Thyroidectomy for Hyperthyroidism in Graves' Disease Improves Biochemical Recovery.

Background: The role of thyroidectomy as an early treatment for hyperthyroidism has been poorly investigated. Our aim was to examine its success rates, particularly focusing on thyroidectomy as an early treatment.

Methods: Patients with thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism between February 2008 and October 2014 were included.

[CME: Radioactive iodine therapy in thyroid cancer].

Differentiated thyroid carcinomas represent about 90% of all thyroid tumors and are divided in papillary and follicular carcinomas. Their prognosis is good, however, recurrences are not rare. Their ability to accumulate iodine is used for the radioactive iodine treatment.

Significance of a new fluorodeoxyglucose-positive lesion on restaging positron emission tomography/computed tomography after induction therapy for non-small-cell lung cancer.

Objectives: Restaging of patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is of paramount importance, since only patients with down-staging after induction therapy will benefit from surgery. In this study, we assessed the aetiology of new (18)fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG)-positive focal abnormalities on restaging positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in patients with a good response after induction chemotherapy in the primary tumour and lymph nodes.

Methods: Between 2004 and 2008, 31 patients with histological proven stage III NSCLC had a PET/CT prior and after induction chemotherapy.

PET and PET-CT of lung cancer.

Accurate staging is essential to offer the patient the most effective available treatment and the best estimate of prognosis. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), surgical resection offers the best chance of cure in the early stages, either alone or in combination with chemo- or radiotherapy at the more advanced stages. However, many patients present with metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis.

Continued pemetrexed and platin-based chemotherapy in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM): value of 18F-FDG-PET/CT.

Purpose: To prospectively analyze different FDG-PET/CT-parameters (modified RECIST, SUVmax, TLG, PETvol) in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) under continued pemetrexed and platin based treatment.

Methods: Patients with biopsy proven MPM undergoing treatment with pemetrexed and platin based treatment were prospectively included in the study. Integrated FDG-PET/CT imaging was performed within 2 weeks before therapy and after every three consecutive cycles of combined chemotherapy.

Limited value of 18F-FDG PET/CT and S-100B tumour marker in the detection of liver metastases from uveal melanoma compared to liver metastases from cutaneous melanoma.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the value of (18)F-FDG PET/CT and S-100B tumour marker for the detection of liver metastases from uveal melanoma in comparison to liver metastases from cutaneous melanoma.

Methods: A retrospective evaluation was conducted of 27 liver metastases in 13 patients with uveal melanoma (UM) (mean age: 56.8, range: 30-77) and 43 liver metastases in 14 patients (mean age: 57.

Combined FDG-PET/CT in response evaluation of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Purpose: Based on the complex growth pattern of MPM, conventional response evaluation in this cancer entity is challenging. Therefore, there is growing interest in therapy response evaluation with FDG-PET/CT. The aim of the study was to evaluate the value of several FDG-PET/CT-parameters in therapy response evaluation concerning prediction of survival at baseline and after three cycles of therapy.

Baseline staging of melanoma with unknown primary site: the value of serum s100 protein and positron emission tomography.

Background: Baseline staging is important in all melanoma types, including melanoma with unknown primary site (MUP). Staging includes different examination strategies, each with different accuracy.

Objective: To determine the value of serum S100 protein levels and positron emission tomography (PET) in the baseline staging of MUP.

Chemotherapy response assessment in stage IV melanoma patients-comparison of 18F-FDG-PET/CT, CT, brain MRI, and tumormarker S-100B.

Purpose: This study aims to compare the use of 18F-FDG-PET/CT, CT, brain MRI, and tumormarker S-100B in chemotherapy response assessment of stage IV melanoma patients.

Methods: In 25 patients with stage IV melanoma, FDG-PET/CT and S-100B after 2-3 months (three cycles) of chemotherapy was compared with baseline PET/CT and baseline S-100B. Retrospectively, the response was correlated with the outcome.

S-100B and FDG-PET/CT in therapy response assessment of melanoma patients.

Objective: To compare the value of the tumor marker S-100B protein and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in patients treated for melanoma metastases.

Methods: In 41 patients with proven melanoma metastases, S-100B measurements and FDG-PET/CT were performed before and after therapy. The change of S-100B levels (DeltaS-100B) was assessed.

Diagnosis, treatment and long-term outcome of solitary fibrous tumours of the pleura.

Objective: Solitary fibrous tumours of the pleura (SFTP) are rare and can histologically be differentiated into benign and malignant forms. The aim of this study is to present new cases, and discuss up-to-date preoperative examinations, the role of video-assisted thoracic surgery and long-term outcome.

Methods: Between 1993 and 2006, 27 SFTPs were diagnosed (14 females, mean age+/-SD, 62.

High-risk melanoma: accuracy of FDG PET/CT with added CT morphologic information for detection of metastases.

Purpose: To prospectively determine the accuracy of positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) with added CT morphologic information for depiction of metastases in patients with high-risk melanoma and negative findings for metastases at PET, by using histologic findings or additional imaging and/or follow-up findings as reference standard.

Materials And Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained. Informed consent was obtained from patients.

Tumour assessment in advanced melanoma: value of FDG-PET/CT in patients with elevated serum S-100B.

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of PET/CT in melanoma patients with an elevated serum S-100B tumour marker level.

Methods: Out of 165 consecutive high-risk melanoma patients referred for PET/CT imaging, 47 had elevated (>0.2 microg/l) S-100B serum levels and a contemporaneous 18F-FDG PET/CT scan.

Single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomographyfor sentinel node mapping in breast cancer.

Accurate lymph node staging is essential for the prognosis and treatment in patients with cancer. The sentinel lymph node is the first node to which lymphatic drainage and metastasis from the primary tumor occurs. In malignant melanoma and breast cancer, the sentinel lymph node detection and biopsy already have been implemented into clinical practice.

Integrated PET/CT: current applications and future directions.

For the past 5 years, combined positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT), or PET/CT, has grown because the PET portion provides information that is very different from that obtainable with other imaging modalities. However, the paucity of anatomic landmarks on PET images makes a consistent "hardware fusion" to anatomic cross-sectional data extremely useful. Clinical experience indicates a single direction: Addition of CT to PET improves specificity foremost, but also sensitivity, and the addition of PET to CT adds sensitivity and specificity in tumor imaging.

Etiology of solitary extrapulmonary positron emission tomography and computed tomography findings in patients with lung cancer.

Purpose: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the incidence and the nature of solitary extrapulmonary [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) accumulations in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) staged with integrated positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) and to evaluate the impact on management.

Patients And Methods: A total of 350 patients with NSCLC underwent whole-body PET/CT imaging. All solitary extrapulmonary FDG accumulations were evaluated by histopathology, further imaging, or clinical follow-up.

The second international conference on sentinel node biopsy in mucosal head and neck cancer.

Background: The Second International Conference on Sentinel Node Biopsy in Mucosal Head and Neck Cancer was hosted by the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery of the University Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, from September 12 to 13, 2003. The aims of this conference were to present the results of validation studies and to achieve a consensus on methodological requirements.

Methods: More than 80 delegates from 20 countries attended the conference.

Diffuse idiopathic neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia causing severe airway obstruction in a patient with a carcinoid tumor.

We report a 57-year-old female with severe airway obstruction who underwent resection of a tumor of unknown dignity during lung volume reduction surgery. The nodule consisted of a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor (carcinoid), and severe chronic obstructive lung disease was due to diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia, a very rare cause of obliterative bronchiolitis. Radionuclide ablative therapy of the neuroendocrine tissue was considered but not found to be feasible due to a low lung/background ratio of the radiotracer.

PET in lung cancer.

Accurate tumor staging is essential for choosing the appropriate treatment strategy in patients with lung cancer. It has already been shown that FDG-PET is highly accurate in classifying lung nodules as benign or malignant. Integrated PET-CT enables the exact matching of focal abnormalities on PET to anatomic structures on CT.

PET and functional anatomic fusion imaging in lung and breast cancers.

Metabolic imaging with PET is an established adjunct to anatomic imaging methods in patients with bronchial and breast cancers. The functional anatomic fusion imaging with PET/CT can further improve staging and restaging of patients. PET/CT can influence the planning of a surgical intervention or radiation treatment at staging and in patients with suspected locoregional recurrence.

Management and costs of treating lung cancer patients in a university hospital.

Background: New diagnostic tools and emerging medications have significantly changed the existing medical treatment options for lung cancer over the last 5 years. However, the increase in healthcare costs in all developed societies has put the more economical treatments on centre stage.

Objective: To examine the patterns and costs of lung cancer management at a Swiss University hospital at which there is a focus on interdisciplinary treatment.

Axillary staging using positron emission tomography in breast cancer patients qualifying for sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is the standard of care for nodal staging of patients with invasive breast cancer. Due to significant somatic and psychological side effects, replacement of ALND with less invasive techniques is desirable. The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of axillary lymph node (ALN) staging by means of positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in breast cancer patients qualifying for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB).